Alarm switch for automobiles, safes, and the like



June 24, 1930. c. w. 'nMMoNs 1,767,326 lALARM SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILES, slums, AND THELIKE Filed Jan. 9, 19223 4 sheets-sheet. 1

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June 2.4, 1930.- c. w. 'rlMMoNs 1,767,326

ALARM swITcH Fon AUTMoILEs, sAFEs, AND THE LIKE FiledAJan. 9, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 afin/m55 m wma/v Jun# 24, 1930. w, .TMMQNS l 1,767,326

ALARM SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILES, SAFES, lAND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 wif/P55555 N woe/nto@ wma .es nf. nunon/.s

June 24, 1930. c. w. 'nMMoNs 1,767,326

' ALARM SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILES, SAFES, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 kWMe-5515s z, I A .p Immo@ Z2 can/#1.55m mwoMS Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES CHARLES W. TIMMONS, F LAPEL, INDIANA ALARM SWITCH FOB AUTOMOBILES, SAFES, AND THE LIKE Application led January 9, 1928.

This invention relates toalarms or signals for use in conjunction with combination or permutation locks and which can be used to advantage on the ignition system of antoniobiles, safe doors, and the like.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide novel means for operating a signal or alarm when persons unfamiliar with the combination of the lock or the chan acteristics thereof endeavorr to operate the lock or force the dial of the lock inward or by n otherwise tampering therewith.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of an alarm circuit `1n corporated with the combination lock, and

means for closing said circuit upon the tampering with the lock by unauthorized persons.

Afurther object of the invention is the provision of a combination lock having a rod rotatably carried with the dial of the lock` lock for closing a circuit after the correct opa eration of the lock, the circuit being, for instance, the ignition circuit of an automobile. A still further object of the invention is to provide a burglar alarm or signal forpermutation lock of the above character, which will be durable and eliicient in use,.one which will be simple and easy to manufacture and one which can be incorporated withv the ignition system of an automobile yor a safe door at a small cost. y

NVith these and other objects in view,'the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings the bolt of a combination lock,

trating the various circuits when the device is incorporated wlth the door of a bank safe` Serial No. 245,504.

Figure l is a side elevation of the improved device showing the same incorporated with the instrument board of an automobile for use in conjunction with the ignition circuit thereof, Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the instrument board of an automobile showing the improved device incorporated therewith, the device being shown in top plan,

Figure 3 is a transverse section through the devlce taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating a part of the alarm circuit-closing apparatus,

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the apparatus taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the means for connecting the bridge strip for the automobile ignition circuit with Figure 5 is a transverse section through the apparatus taken on the line 55 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows,V illustrating one method of incorporating the alarm signal buzzer in place, I i

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the complete apparatus showing the same incorporated with the instrument board of an automobile,

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of one segment of the circuitclosing guard,

Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of ythe bridge strip for the alarm circuit and its operating rod,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detailed perspective view illustrating the bridge strip for the ignition circuit carried by the bolt oi" the combination lock,

Figure l() is a diagrammatic view illustrating the various circuits when the device is usedr in conjunction with the ignition circuit of an automobile, and

Figure l1 is a diagrammatic view Aillusor the like. f y n Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate cor-r responding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates a form .00

of the iinproved apparatus when the same incorporated with an automobile.

A fragnient of the instrunient board of an automobile has only been shown. the invention resides in the novel apparatus A.

In the form A of the invention, the conibiuation lock indicated by the reference character 2O is secured in anj; desired way to the instrmnent board 15 with the casingV 21 of the lock disposed on the inside of the instrument board and the dial ou the exterior of the said board. The casing is of the usual construction and will not be described in detail but it is to be noted that the bolt 23 of the lock projects upwardly from the casingY as clearly .shown in Figures (3 and 9 of the drawings for a purpose, whirl will be later described.

The dial and knob L4 thereof are pro.'ided at their axial center with an openingl whica is polygonal shaped in crc section tor slidablv receiving?T a combi.atiou rod 35 which forins an essential part of the invention. This rod is of the saine shape in cross section as the opening in the knob 24 and dial so that the rod will be rotated with the dial. rllhe dial graduated in the usual manner as at 26 for a purpose which will be later described and the face plate is provided with an indicating' line 27 to facilitate the manipulation of the dial nd the working of the combination of the lock. The extreme outer end of the rod is provided with au operating thumb piece 2S and one face ot the rod is provided with suitable numbered graduatious 29 for a purpose which will he later described.

The device A also includes, a supporting 'traine 30 which is of a substantially Usshape in plan andthe forward terminals of the arms of the frame are provided with right aufrularlv extending' attaching feet 31 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the inner face ol' the instrument board 15.

Arranged intermediate the ends of the frame itl and disilmsed transversely thereof is a novel c'uard and contact device 32 wh' h consists ofsemi-annular sections Il?) and 3l respectively. These sections 2559i and'l.L are formed of electric ci'niductinfc' material and are secured in any desired way to the arms of the trame 30 with their adjacent ends slightly spaced. defining wayy 5J diametricallv arranged, for a purpose which will be latei' deseribet. As clearly shown in Figure '7 of the drawings, the sections 33 and $4 have their adjacent ends provided with inwardly directed lips 3G which form the sides of the ways y lilxtending` inwardly from the sections 353 and 34 are relatively long contact strips 37 and a strip is carried by each section and the two strips are diametrically disposed and are preferably arranged adjacent to but spaced from the guide ways 35. lroyectnig forwardly from the sections 33 and 34 are relatively short contact and stop strips 38 and these strips are also diametrically disposed and arranged at opposite points, preferably at quarters7 to the contact and stop strips 37.

Relatively long Contact pins 39 and 40 are secured to the .inner face ot the instrument board 15 and these strips are preferably insulated therefrom in any desired way, such as by the use of insulating gaskets or the like. These pins terminate adjacent to but spaced from relatively short contact strips 38 and thus a way is defined between the contact pins 39 and 40 and the relatively short contact strips 38.

Extending transversely across the frame 30 is a brace strip 41 which is secured in any desired way to the arms of the frame in spaced relation to the connecting:`r body portion thereof and the relatively long contact and stop strips 37. Jvigidly connected to the brace strip 41 and projecting forwardly therefrom are a pair of spaced contact tongues 42 formed of electric conducting material and these tongues also end short of the contact and stop strips 37 and are disposed at the axial center of the entire device. that is. in axial alignment with the center of the dial 22 and the sliding:r rod 25. It' desired, the various contact tongues` strips and the like can be insulated from the frame 30 and b 'ace strip 41 or` as shown. the, .frame and the brace strip can be formed from insulatingr niaterial so that the current is normally broken between said tongues, strips and the like.

The connecting body portion of the frame preferably supports the signalling device which, as shown, can be in the nature of a buzzer' or bell 43.

In accordance with this invention, lead and ret-urn wires 44 and 45 are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, such as a battery 46 which can be considered as the usual storage battery of the motor vehicle. The lead wire 44 is electrically connected with one Contact tongue 42 while the return wire is connected to one terminal of the buzzer 4?, as clearly shown in the drawim The other bindlng post of the buzzer' 4i, s con nected by means of a wire 46 with the other contact tongue 42, as clearly shown.

Electrically connected with the tongues 42 are electric wires 47 and 48 which are electrically connected respectively with the sections 33 and 34 of the circuit-closing apparatus and to the contact pins 39 and 40.

In accordance with this invention. a bridge h ead 49 formed of electric conductingr material is carried by the inner end of theV rod 25 and this head can be insulated from the `rod 25. This head is of a sufficient size to bridge the Contact tongues 42 when the rod is pushed inwardly beyond a predetermined point. as will be later brought out. The inner end of loo lil

the head carries a bridge strip 50 which eX- tends diametrically through the head and the rod and is insulated therefrom by the use of a sleeve 51 formed of insulating material. This bridge strip is relatively narrow, so that the same can slide through the ways 35 without contacting with the members 33 or 34 and the lips 36 thereof, when properly actuated.

The combination lock 2() is utilized for controlling the ignition circuit of the internal combustion engine (not shown) of the automobile and when this lock is actuated correctly the circuit througfb the ignition is closed. As shown, wires 56 and 57 lead from the ignition circuit and are electrically counected with contact jaws 58 and '59 respectively which are carried by the arms of the frame 30. The bolt 23 of the lock has connected directly therewith a block of insulation which supports the transversely extending bridge rod 6l which is adapted to engage the jaws 58 and 59 and thus bridge the circuit when the lock is operated.

In operation of the improved device, the bolt 23 is normally in a raised position with vthe bridge rod 6l above the jaws 58 and 59 with the rod 25 disposed in its innermost position and the bridge strip between the relatively long contact strips 37. It can be seen that when unauthorized personsy endeavor to operate the lockthat, upon the turning of the dial 22, the rod 25 will be rotated therewith and the bridge strip 50 will come in contact with the contact and stop strips 37 which will close the alarm circuit through the buzzer 43 giving an effective alarm. In this instance, the current will flow from the battery 46 to the l wire 44, wire 47, section 33, one contact and stop strip 37 to the bridge strip 50, to the other contact and stop strip 37 through section 34, wire 48, wire 46, through the buzzer, through the wire 45 and back to the battery 46. If the rod or entire dial is forced inward, the contact bridge head 49 will engage the contact tongues 42 and thus close the circuit through these contacts and again sounding the alarm. If the rod 25 is pulled forwardly, the same will engage the sections 33 and 34 and close the circuit between and through the buzzer 43, as previously described and thus the alarm will be sounded in this instance. At this point, it might be stated that the inner edges ofthe sections 33 and 34 can be provided with suitable notches or stops if so desired so as to prevent the easy locating of the ways 35.

Thus, if, by chance, the ways 35 are located by the person endeavoring to operate the lock and the dial is then turned, the bridge strip will engage the short contact and stop strip 38 which will again close the circuit. If the rod is pulled further out, the

" contact pins 39 and 40 will be bridged and contact pins 39 and 40 and the finding of this position without sounding the alarm, by unauthorized persons, is, of course, exceedingly remote.

yTo operatey the lock by a person who is familiar with the combination, the dial 22 is first turned to apredetermined position, say with the graduation 30 aligning with the! vindicating mark 27 which will align the bridge strip 50 with the ways 35 after which vthe rod is pulled forwardly through the ways andl is stopped at a predetermined point at .one of thcfgraduations, say 12,y which will align the bridge strip with the ways between the contact pins 39 and 40 and the short bridge strips 38. At this time, the combination of the lock can be workedv in the usual way and the alarm will not be sounded.

In Figure 11, I haveillustrated the novel alarm signal incorporated with the lock of a safe and the device is of identically the same construction as described, the only difference being the elimination of the contact jaws and bridgestrips of the ignition circuit, the lock bolt being utilized in this instance for locking the safe door.

In this form of the invention, it is also preferred to provide means for operating the alarm in case heat is applied to the door, such as an acetylene torch or the like for burning an opening therein. In this instance, suitable plates of metal 7 0 and 7l are arranged adjacent to the door and these plates have the properties of expanding under the influence of heat and are adapted to contact when the temperature of the door arises above a predetermined degree. These plates have connected therewith respectively wires 72 and 73 which are connected with the wires 47 and 48 which leave the sections 33 and 34 of the circuit device 32.

It is obvious that to operate this lock of the safe, it is also necessary to dispose the rod 25 in a predetermined way before the lock can be operated without sounding the alarm.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the lspirit oi' the scope of this invention but:

What I claim as new is:

1. In an electric alarm circuit, a circuit controlling device comprising a rotatable dial, a rod slidably carried by the dial and rotatable therewith, a air of contact members arranged in rear o the rod and adapted to be engaged by the rod upon inward movement thereof, a pair of semi-circular contact members arranged forwardly of the first contact members, contact strips carried by the semi-annular contact members, a bridge strip carried by the rod and normally disposed in the path of said contact strips, said semiannular members having their terminals spaced a sulicient distance to permit the passage of said bridge strip therethrough without contact therewith, when the dial is in a predetermii'ied position, contact pins arranged forwardly of the semi-annular contact members in a predetermined spaced relation relative thereto.V

2. In an electric alarm circuit, a circuit controlling device comprising a rotatable dial, a rod slidably carried by the dial and rotatable therewith, a pair of contact members disposed in the circuit and arranged in rear of the rod and adapted to be engaged by the rod upon inward movement thereof, a pair of semi-annular Contact members arranged forwardly of the first Contact members, Contact strips carried by said semi-annular contactmembers, and a bridge strip carried by the rod and normally disposed in the path of the said Contact strips7 said semiannular members having their terminals spaced a sufficient distance to permit the passage of said bridge strip therethrough without Contact therewith when the dial is in a predetermined position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES XV. TIMMONS. 

